ESCOLA SECUNDÁRIA C/ 3º CICLO DE VILA REAL DE S.

ANTÓNIO
Curso Profissional de Técnico de Gestão Informática
English Written Test
School Year 2008/09
11th form
5
Name: _______________________________ Class: ________ number: ________

January’ 09

Teacher’s signature: ________________________________ Mark: ________________________
I
10
Please read this text carefully:
CLIMATE CHANGE
Who are the heroes and villains?
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PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
In recent years, scientists have connected increased flooding, higher levels of intense
rain and snowfall, and the planet’s rising sea level to global warming. Scientists predict
that if the Earth heats up by between 1º C and 3º C in the next 100 years, which is
20probable, then the sea level will rise between 15 cm and 120 cm in that time, or up to 20
cm by 2030. This means that major US cities such as New York, Boston, Miami and
Washington DC could soon find themselves submerging in water. By present day
calculations, any area 2 m above sea level will be at risk in a only 30 years time. In
Washington DC, many national landmarks are vulnerable, as are waterfront districts of
25New York City. Past floods in these cities have caused score of deaths and hundred of
millions of dollars worth of damage – but the effects of predicted floods will be many
times greater.
RISING SEAS, FLOODS AND DISEASE
Favourite vacation spots in the US and worldwide could be devastated by eroding
30beaches and decimated wildlife. Ocean city, Maryland, earns much of its income through
tourism. As it is developed right up to seafront, millions of dollars would be necessary to
haul in new sand to maintain about 60 m of beach. Islands in North Carolina and
Chesapeake Bay in Maryland contain rich and diverse ecosystems which would be
destroyed, and the Everglades National Park in Florida, one of North America’s most
35important wetlands, would certainly be affected by rising sea levels.
But the US is not the only target: global warming leaves no country untouched. The
Great Barrier Reef in Australia would be at risk of bleaching along its entire length,
thereby destroying many species. Sea levels around the British Isles would actually
recede due to ocean and atmospheric circulation patterns. In Russia and Canada, forests
40which trap CO2 and help guard against global warming will be at risk of forest fires and
pest attacks. Ten percent of mammals in China are already threatened with extinction, and
climate change could affect the lovable giant panda. Wetlands in Spain and Brazil could
lose their own endangered species. As tropical climates spread, mosquitoes will multiply
and spread malaria and yellow fever to new areas. Heat waves and droughts will dry up
45land and harm existing ecosystems, drastically affecting the quality of life we know
today.
Source: Current May-June 2002
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2.A. What will happen to some USA cities in the future?
10 pontos
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3. eroding
a. The citizens of Washington DC shouldn’t worry about the city’s national
landmarks.
15 pontos
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4. what can be done to decrease global warming? Give at least
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three reasons. Decide whether these statements are True or False. According to scientists global warming is responsible for major environmental
problems.A.
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C. ecosystems
c.S. Join the words in column A to their corresponding meaning in column B:
4 × 2 = 8 pontos
1. floods
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2.
20 pontos
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2.
12 pontos
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.
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3. all the plants and animals in a
particular area
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B.
1. Answer the following questions about the text. “Who are the heroes and villains?” State your
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reasons.
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Canada and China. Answer the question on the title. move back or away
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b. Use your own words.
3 × 6 = 18 pontos
1. Point out some consequences of global warming in countries like Australia. Global warming is a problem that only affects the U. Quote from the text to
support your decision. recede
d. In your opinion. uncontrolled amount of water
4. gradually be destroyed
3.